SIR – I would like to thank the T&A for the opportunity to ask Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg my question.

Carers all over the country would like the answer to this one: why are carers paid such a pitiful amount for the valuable service that they provide?

Mr Clegg’s response was exactly what I expected: “You are right, it is appalling and it’s something that the Government is looking at.” Just the usual platitudes.

As a carer, I get paid £2,666 per year. Of, that I spend £1,425 a year on running, taxing, insuring and maintaining a car that is vital to the job that I do.

I don’t just care for one person; I look after my mum, who is an oxygen-dependant wheelchair user, and my autistic son.

Neither of them qualify for motorbility (one is too old and the other can walk), but without a car, I can’t do the job that I’m paid for.

What is a girl to do? Is there any help, and if there is, where will I find it? I don’t want something for nothing, I just want to be paid fairly for what I do, so that I can continue to do it.

Ann-Marie Gibson, Bullroyd Lane, Bradford